Most motorsport enthusiasts are probably contemplating the return to form of Lewis Hamilton and whether Ferrari goofed in putting their boys on 'Supersoft' rather than the yellow walled 'Soft' tyres in the middle stint in Montreal. It was great to see three marques on the podium and Ferrari are truly back in the hunt thank goodness.
However I'd like to say a word about the Isle Of Man motorcycle TT races. Tragically this year we saw five fatalities, a terrible price and my heart goes out to the families of those we lost. For me it brings back memories from years back.
I got involved in motorcycle racing after racing single seater cars for several years as a result of a good friend of mine by the name of Colin Gable. I met him when I sold a car to his father and I went to Colin's first race at Castle Combe. In those days Colin owned a Kawasaki GPz900 for use on the road; he'd bought it on finance and I imagine racing it was against the terms and conditions, but would have been a huge risk anyway given he was a hard working lad in debt, not landed gentry.
Colin bought an old, secondhand Yamaha LC to go racing but unfortunately despite a couple of engine rebuilds it blew a ring on one side each time he tested it. The problem was correctly diagnosed and sorted but when he entered his first race meeting he wasn't confident the bike would last the day. So it was that he entered the Kawasaki in a couple of races for larger capacity bikes, competing in four races that day, two on the Yam and two on the Kwaka.
As luck would have it his first ever race was on his pride and joy GPz of which he owned just a part in reality. Most of us would be a bit circumspect under those circumstances but Colin finished in second place, beaten only by an out and out race prepped Superbike.
He went on to be best newcomer at the Isle of Man and one year I went to watch him at the TT. That year he broke down on the mountain. A year or two later he was killed at the island.
After this year's tragedy calls will be renewed to end the event. I doubt the government on the island will allow the loss of revenue, but I'd rather consider the moral issue. Agostini was right, I think, to campaign for the TT to be removed from the World Championship. Racing is primarily about skill and neither riders nor drivers should be pressurised to compete in the most dangerous events.
As I've mentioned in previous posts, we no longer have the Mille Miglia or The Targa Florio, nor do we have a Grand Prix on the old Nurburgring. I think we're poorer for the loss, but I don't think people should be entering events which are particulalry dangerous because to miss them would compromise an entire season or championship.
It seems to me that those who race at the Isle of Man choose to do so. People have always challenged themselves and I think it's an important part of what makes us human. We may challenge ourselves to a greater or lesser extent. There may be debate about whether climbers and hill walkers and long distance sailors and rowers should be rescued by others who have to put themselves at risk, but lets not stop challenging ourselves. And frankly if climbers and seafarers are ready to rescue their fellows then I think that's also a part of being human.
So where does that leave the TT? So long as there are riders who want to enter the races I believe it should continue and that it's morally correct to continue it. I don't believe in the nanny state and I do believe in both personal freedom and personal responsibility. This year's accidents represent an almost unbearable loss for the friends and family of those killed and those who compete should weigh in their minds the possible effects on their loved ones, but at the end of the day, if the entry lists are full, I for one salute those with the courage and determination to face any of the world's great challenges and the TT is the toughest challenge left in motorsport.
Malcolm Snook
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